Photo Credit: Courtesy of Silvana Clark
Whether we admit it or not, most of us have watched a reality-TV show. A few years ago, I received a call from the producer of the FOX reality show, “Trading Spouses” The premise of the show is to have the moms from two different families switch places. After sheepishly admitting I had never seen the show, I nonetheless agreed to turn in the paperwork. Before we knew it, my husband Allan and I, along with our 15-year-old daughter Sondra, were in Los Angeles being “screened.” This meant three days of psychological testing (I guess we passed), drug testing, extensive background reviews and creativity testing in front of 15 producers. Evidently they felt we were “reality-show-worthy” because soon I was flying cross-country to live with a family of complete strangers while that mom flew to live with Allan and Sondra. For the first two days, each mom lives the lifestyle of her new family. On the third day, each mom says, “Now, we’ll do things my way!” And, just to answer the number-one question I am asked … no! I did not sleep in the same room with the man of the house!
Spending the week with complete strangers who have a totally different lifestyle was an eye-opening experience. I learned several things that apply to the recreation field:
1. Not every family sees the importance of positive recreational activities.